From California With Love
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Jacob Kristofer
March 18, 2005 12:44 PM 8 lbs. 15 oz. |
Last Updated: Jul 29, 2008 |
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Home Pictures Stories Family Guestbook From California With Love |
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4/12/06-- Today Jessica took Jacob to the nutritionist for a post-surgery consult. It was basically a waste of time, but Jake did get to see a couple of burn center grads, Alejandro and Israel, and played while we all waited. 4/9/06-- WE'RE HOME!!! Jake checked out at 11:00 today. We were shown how to care for his head and finger and have follow up appointments scheduled for next week. They put a lot less wrapping on his finger, but mom and dad are going back to the boxing glove since Jake had his whole hand unwrapped by the time we got home. 4/8/06-- Another great day for Jacob. Since he's been in the hospital, he's learned: 1.) where his belly button is located and can show you when you ask, 2.) how to draw, 3.) how to shake his head "no" 4.) he's become more proficient with his sign language, 5.) to stack one block on top of another. The nurses all love him and are repeatedly suprised that he isn't scared and always smiles at them. He doesn't cry when they take his vitals or give him a bath. 3/7/06-- Jacob can't seem to get enough food! He keeps asking, "Cheese? Cheese?" and making the sign for cheese. He doesn't really mean cheese. He means food, but somehow he's missed that lesson. We are able to cut the huge bandage off of his head and give him a much needed bath. He gets to wear his own pj's today and spends the morning playing and eating. We are told that he may be discharged on Sunday or Monday, depending on how the graft has taken. 3/6/06-- Jacob woke up at 6:30 this morning in order to undergo his second surgery. He had a little area of his head shaved and a skin graft was taken to affix to his finger. Back in recovery, Jake was pretty cranky, but Jessica nursed him and he felt better. He had a huge bandage on his head and both arms are completely wrapped. We all went back to the room where Jacob wanted to play immediately. We pushed him around in the car, read him stories, and walked him around. He started asking, "Cheese? Cheese?" so we fed him and he ate like a horse! I guess he's over his stomach bug! Because he was eating and drinking so well, the nurses were able to remove the IV from his arm so he could have his right hand free. He got to go to the playroom again and generally had a great day. He, again didn't sleep well, even with Mommy there, but it's understandable. 3/5/06-- Jacob awoke happy and ready to play. He ate a little at breakfast and didn't throw up. We played in the room for a while and then later went with Alejandro to the playroom. Jake was a little frustrated with his bandaged hands, but liked playing peek-a-boo in the playhouse. Brandon, the firefighter next door, gave him a little play fireman's hat, proving to us all that firefighters are heroes 24 hours a day. He ate lunch and dinner with no problems and daddy stayed this night with him. Grandad James flew in to help out and check up on the little fella. He didn't really sleep well, but still had no tummy troubles. 3/4/06-- The family awoke at 3:45 to report to the hospital by 5:30. Grandma Ethel had come in the night before to take care of everyone, even though we were not sure if they would allow Jacob to have his surgery since he was still not over his stomach bug. After much deliberation, Jake got the go-ahead. Dr. Hu gave him an oral narcotic which made Jake totally smashed- it was hilarious! They then wheeled him into the OR where they cleaned the wound and added cadaver skin. 20 minutes later, he was in recovery and trying to pull the IV out of his foot. He cried and cried so Jessica nursed him until he threw up. That made him feel better. We went up to the Grossman Burn Center to his room and got adjusted to our temporary home. The nurses are all very nice and helpful and they all want to take Jake home. He was given a little car to ride around in and he and his neighbor, three-year-old Alejandro, rode back and forth through the halls. He threw up again and Jessica got to wear scrubs for the rest of the day. He took several naps and slept pretty well. 4/2/06-- Jacob is doing well today. His stomach virus is still around, but he seems to be on the downward slope of it and is doing much better. 4/1/06-- Kris took Jacob to Irvine Regional Hospital for a second opinion. They said that their diagnosis would be the same and that they would have also sent him to the Grossman Burn Center. He is apparently where he needs to be. 3/31/06-- Jacob went to the burn specialist today and found out that he'll need two surgeries on his finger. He will go into the hospital on Tuesday and will stay for one week. 3/30/06-- Today Jacob went to his one year doctor's appointment. He is 30 5/8 inches tall, weighs 20 lbs, 10 oz, and has a head circumference of 18 3/8 inches. He got three shots, but was feeling better by the time we left the office. We've been referred to a burn center to look at Jake's finger. It's healing well with no infection, but because the burn extends along the joint, the doctor would like a specialist to look at it to make sure that the scar tissue would not consrtict his movement. Our appointment is at 11 AM tomorrow, so we'll keep you posted... 3/28/06-- Jake is teething again... Kris says he feels three molars in the back. In other news, his finger is healing, but looks really gross. Jacob has learned both the word and the sign for "cheese." Other words he can say are: mama, daddy, kitty, and this. Other signs he can do are "all done," "milk," and "more." He can also recognize "drink" and "food" but can't do them yet. He's been really interested in pointing to things, especially noses, and saying, "This!" 3/25/06-- Today was a big day for the Rhodes family. The power was out today, so the we all went to the zoo. Jacob fell asleep in the car on the way over, but a noisy toucan helped rouse the little fella. He was really interested in everything and would point when he found the animals. Jake even got an elephant ride! We still had a few hours to kill so we went to have lunch on the Balboa pier. Jacob loved looking at the ocean and watching the birds. 3/24/06-- Today Jake went on an ocean-side picnic with Mommy, Rami, Maroua, Bridget, Hope, and little Ethan. Afterwards, Jake and Rami went to play on the beach. Jacob was like a little sea turtle trying to return to the ocean, much to the dismay of his mother who neither likes being cold or wet. He loved feeling the water rush over his feet and became very angry when it was time to go home. Rami, unfortunately, had a mishap and fell and hit his forehead on a rock. He got a huge knot, but was soon back to his normal, playful self. 3/20/06-- Jessica's mom left today. Jacob burned his left index finger on a a lightbulb. We took him to the doctor for a check up and she told us what to expect for the next few days. The finger is blistered, but doesn't seem to bother him. Unfortunately this means no playing in the dirt for a while, so we'll have to come up with other means of entertainment. 3/18/06-- One year already!!! Today Jake celebrated his first birthday. We first went to get his one year pictures made and then had his birthday party at 11:30. The "Teddy Bear Picnic" was attended by Davon, Rami, and Micah, as well as several of our Philosophy friends. We ate sandwiches, fruit, veggies, and of course, bear cake. A good time was had by all. 3/17/06-- Today Jacob took Grandma, Mommy, Bridget, Katie, Maroua, and Rami to the aquarium. It was rainy the whole day, but the fish didn't seem to notice. Jacob really enjoyed watching the sea otters. 3/16/06-- Preparations are being made for Jacob's birthday party. Food has been bought, balloons have been ordered, and the cake will be made soon! We're having some difficulty uploading pictures to the website, but rest assured, we'll scan pictures of the party for viewing on Saturday. 3/13/06-- Jessica's mom is here!
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